Ask for and ask about look similar, but they do different jobs.
Ask for means to request something. The thing after it is usually an object, help, time, permission, or a person. For example: She asked for a refund. In this sentence, she wanted to receive something.
Ask about means to inquire about a subject or get information about it. The thing after it is the topic of the question. For example: He asked about the new policy. In this sentence, he wanted information, not the policy itself.
A quick way to remember it is this:
- Use ask for when you want someone to give you something.
- Use ask about when you want someone to tell you something.
Compare these examples: I asked for a doctor means I requested a doctor. I asked about the doctor means I wanted information about the doctor. That small preposition changes the meaning clearly.